Luis Enrique says he would take a pay cut to never give interviews again
Coach activates “honest mode” in documentary and says he would not accept an invitation to coach PSG if Messi, Neymar and Mbappé were still at the club
Anyone who has followed Luis Enrique’s career knows that his relationship with the press is tense. The PSG coach doesn’t usually hide his irritation with journalists . And in a documentary on the Spanish channel Movistar+, he activated “honest mode”. The former Barcelona player said he would accept a pay cut so he would no longer have to deal with the media.
“If they offered me a 25, 30% pay cut so that I would never have to speak to the media again, I would accept it,” declared Luis Enrique.
The statement had repercussions in France and, this Thursday, Luis Enrique appeared before journalists at the press conference prior to PSG x Rennes, for the French Championship. He was asked about his opinion and… he maintained it.
“I get along well with you (journalists). But if you gave me that choice… I have never run away from a press conference. It was a spontaneous reflection, that’s the truth,” said Luis Enrique.
– But it’s true. If they give me a document promising a 25% or even 50% salary cut to avoid giving interviews, I would accept it. If I could avoid it, I would, especially after games. But I repeat, I have fun with you guys – assured the former coach of the Spanish national team.
“With the previous players, I wouldn’t be at PSG”
This was not the only statement from the documentary that caused a stir. He also suggested that he would not accept the invitation to coach PSG if the trio of Mbappé, Messi and Neymar were still at the club.
“With the previous players, I wouldn’t be at PSG,” said Luis Enrique
– If only the team with the best players in the world won titles, PSG would have eight Champions League titles. And they have zero.
Once again, the coach was confronted at the press conference this Thursday about the statement, and he reacted in good humor. But, contrary to the opinion of the press, he changed the subject.
– I don’t remember anything anymore (laughs). I will take advantage of this press conference to clarify what I think: I will not comment on any sentence taken out of context. I do not regret anything I said. I believe in what I said. But I will not comment on sentences taken out of context.
Luis Enrique took over at PSG in the 2023/24 pre-season. At the time, Neymar was still part of the squad, but was traded to Al-Hilal and never played in an official match under the Spaniard. Mbappé only played for one year under the coach at Paris.
